Table top structure and method of manufacture



J. W. BEIGER Sept. 12, 1933.

TABLE TOP STRUCTURE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE Filed Sept. 12. 1932 INVENTOR (fa/7 14/ 56/7 I ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 12, 1933 FFlCE TABLE TOP STRUCTURE METHOD OF MANUFACTURE John W. Beiger, Ludington, lllich, assignor to The Carrom Company, Ludington, Mich.

Application September 12, 1932 Serial No. 632,691

10 Claims. (01. 45-41) 'As heretofore Constructed, Where the flexible cover has been tucked into a retaining groove {there has always been a space at the outer side of the groove that was not filled and subject to receive an accumulation of dust or debris and exposing a narrow unfinished strip.

The objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a table top with a' flexible cover in which this space is entirely closed and a tight joint formed of such perfect fit that no considerable accumulation of debris of any kind is possible and the finish of the joint is complete.

Second, to provide such a structure of extra strength, particularly where light weight table top panels are made use of.

Third, to provide an improved corner construction for such flexible table top structures. Further objects pertaining to details will appear from the detailed description to follow.

Preferred embodiments of my. invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is aplan view of a table top embodying the features of -my invention. s

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail transverse sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1, showing the detail of construction in process of manufacture where a comparatively light table top panel is made use of. v I

Fig. 31s a still further enlargement showing how the retainer strip is expanded to securely clamp the flexible top covering of the structure such as seen in Fig. 2, the dotted line indicating 35 the dimension of the compressed retainer strip before it is expanded.

Fig. i .isan enlarged detail plan view of the corner structure seen in Fig. 1 in process of manufacture before the fabric covering has been applied.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view on line 5-5 of Figs. 1 and 4 showing the details of thestrueture at that point with the covering applied and the retainer strip expanded into place and clamping the edge of the flexible covvering near the corner.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail sectional view similar to Fig. 3 where a comparatively thick table top panel is shown, asimple rabbet in the outer frame is provided to receive the top panel and retainer strip, and a dotted line indicates the dimension of the compressed retainer strip before it is expanded.

1 is the table top panel which may be of wood, plywood, press board, sheet metal or any suitable material. 2 is a frame, preferably having mitered corners, and 3- is the flexible covering of any suitable material, such as leather, canvas, leatherette, or paper. The top panel 1 is disposed in a rabbet recess on the inner side of the frame and is preferably retained by nails 4, although the same may be glued in place or be otherwise secured. It may be retained merely by the clamping of the covering by the retainer strip, although the greater security of nails or glue is preferred. Where the panel is thin, as seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 5, I cut a groove 5 at the outer side of the rabbet in the frame, thus forming a recess 6 around the panel and within the frame. In this space and recess I put a retainer strip 7 of compressed wood, basswood preferred, to which 1 preferably apply a thin layer of wet glue 8 on all sides. This is done preferably by injecting the wet glue from an oil can after the retainer strip hasbeen put in place. I then roll the edge of the covering 3 into the space outside the retainer strip '7 and between the said strip and the frame. This rolling is done by the usual method and frequently results in a small up-fold of the material at the bottom edge, although the up-fold is not a necessity.

The strip 7, which I use most successfully, is made of basswood about three-sixteenths of an inch thick, to which I apply heavy hydraulic pressure of about three thousand pounds to the square inch, reducing the same to about three thirty-seconds of an inch. When the dry retainer strip is in place, there is ample room for the rolling in of the edge of the flexible cover. The moist glue penetrates the compressed wood, causing it to expand and swell to its original thickness or frequently slightly more, which entirely fills the groove, compressing and clamping the edge of the flexible covering, as seen in Figs. 3, 5 and 6. This completely closes the joint and clamps the edge of the flexible cover.

I have described the retainer strip as of basswood which lends itself especially well, but most any wood will yield to heavy pressure. This is especially true of soft woods and the pressure may be applied in any way to the drywood, which upsets its fibers and forces it into coinpact relation. The wood must be practically dry or the fibers will not remain upset but will be resilient and open up on the release of the press.

I have referred to hydraulic pressure because that is really the most convenient way of doing this work in a woodworking plant where presses are made use of for veneer and the like. The pressure can be applied by any sort of means '--theangle. Thefabricis thus-stretched'-in all -ner,- making a "completely closed joint. "structurewill be very good-without this special corner, but-this completes' the job, and makes the joint tight all the way around.

and compression rollers will do the work very well. I prefer the hydraulic press on account of its convenience and power. It is not necessary to use glue. If the strip is moistened by water from an oil can or the like it will expand the wood. Wet. glueis preferred as it makes a glue joint-besides.

It will be seen from what has been described that the corner of the flexible covering will not be so effectively supported as the sides unless special provision is made. I consequently provide at each corner a piece of 'thin'anglemetal' This is a small oblong 9 of about thirty gauge. rectangular piece or stripfolded about thecorner. The fabric is rolled into the. space ouside of the metal between the metal and the frame. The

fabric is preferably trimmed at this point'so-that l but a single layer of the fabric is forced down into the space at the corners.

When the retainer strips expand they force the m'et'al'corner striptightly' into the corner, 'stretch- "ing the-flexible cover and'making a completely closed corner=by the metal extending sharply into *dire'ctionsto exactly cover this right angle cor- In Fig; 6 I show the form that my invention will take where a comparativelyheavy toppanel is made use of. There a simple rabbet is cut in the frame and the space for the retainer strip and flexible top-fold is formed by the space -between thepanel and the frame, therebeingno extension of the recess down into'the frame'into a groove.

Theform shownin'Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5 is with --the very light'pa-nel. "The formshown-in Fig. '40

"of tabletop.

6 is the usual formof substantial construction I have'not shown thelegs or table frame bec'ause'my improvedtop is adapted to any sort of table construction. It'is especially well-adapted J to foldingtablesbecause it is very compact. Iowever, it serves the purpose 'verywell for any table whereit is desired to secure a flexible top covering in place.

I havedescribed the structure particularly in tables to which it isespecially well adapted. The

"structure-is capableof a great varietyof uses. The covering for chair backs or bottoms, or'the 'chair'back or-bottomitself can be secured in place'by thismeans by simply cutting aproper groove in the frame.

"covering may be retained by this means. A flexible covering may be retained over apanel or in any framework by this means very effectively 'whether' there 'is a panel supported under the covering or not.

The 'compressedretainer strip may be intro- 'duced in any way. It might be secured to the edge of the panel and then dampened when the edge'ofthe flexible cover is rolled in.

Having thus describedmy invention, what I claim as new and desire to 'secure by Letters Patent is:

- 1. In a table top structure, a tabletop frame having a rabbeted groove to receive the top panel,

a tabletop panel havingthe edges disposed in said'groove and secured thereto inspaced relation tothe frame forming a groove'recess between theedges of said panel and frame, a retainer strip disposed in said groove, and a'flexible Y -Whereit is desired to provide covered panels in any wall construction, the

top covering over the said top and retainer strip and clamped between the retainer strip and frame, and an angle metal corner strip embracing the ends of said retainer strips at the corner and embraced within the said flexible top covering at the corner.

2. A table top structure having a frame with a groove therein at each side, a flexible covering the edge of which extends into said grooves,

'a retainer strip in the said grooves clamping mitting-the retainer strip to expand and clamp and glue the covering in -place.

-4.-'I'hemethod -of -manufacturingtable-top structures which consists in'providingthe table top with-a groove,- providing a retainer stripof compressed wood in the said groove moistening said retainer strip, forcingtheedge of the flexretainer strip, and permitting the-retainer'strip to expand and clamp'the covering'in place.

5. The method of -manufacturingtabletop ible covering into the'space-by'the side'of the structureswhich consists in providingthetable 'top with a groove, compressing a retainer strip of a wood, introducing the same in-" said' groove, introducing wet glue around 'thesaid retainer strip, disposing a flexible covering overthe same,

forcing the edge-of the flexible covering into the space-by the side-of the retainer-strip, and

- permittingtheretainer'strip to expand and clamp and 'glue the covering'in place.

6.-The metl1od'of manufacturing 'table top structures-which consists in providing the table top with a groove, compressing a retainer strip of wood, -introducing the same in saidgroove, disposing-a flexible covering over the-same,

moistening said retainer strip, forcing the edge of the flexible covering into the space bythe side of the retainer strip, and permitting the retainer strip to expand and clamp the covering in place.

7; A method'of manufacture comprising th pro'cess of retaining a flexible'covenconsisting in forming a groove in the framework,'introducing a compressed wood retainer strip, moistening'the same to expand it, and forcing the edge of the flexible covering between the said strip and the side of the groove.

8. A method of manufacture comprising-the process of retaininga flexible cover, consisting --in forming a groove in-the framework, compressing a retainerstrip of wood, introducing-the same in said groove-moistening the same to' expand it and forcing the edge of the flexible covering between the said strip and the-side ofthe groove.

9.' Ina table top structure, a-table-topframe having a rabbeted groove to receive the top panel, a table top panel having its edges disposed in said groove in spaced relation to the frame and A forming a groove recess between the edges of the said panel and frame, a retainer strip in said groove comprising an expanded strip "of compressed wood, a part at least of which has been compressed so far within its original dimensions and then expanded as to be under compressive forces of its expansion, and a flexible cover disposed over said panel and said retainer strip and having its edges clamped between said retainer strip and said frame, whereby said cover is stretched over said panel and said retainer strip by the compressive forces of said retainer strip. i

10. Ina furniture structure, a portion to be covered, a groove bordering said portion, a retainer strip in said groove comprising an ex- 

